They have seven combined Solheim Cup appearances for Team Europe, so the moment shouldn’t be too big for Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid in the final round of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Team Reidy to Fiesta is -14 overall and one shot back of the lead in solo third following an alternate-shot 66 on day three at Midland Country Club.
“We just want to win,” said Ciganda, who competed on the European Solheim Cup team in each of the last four events. “We’re going to play our best and I think we’re going to be very close because I know how she plays, I know she likes the pressure. I like it, too. We’re going to be up there.
“There are good teams out there, but I think to put ourselves right there for Saturday is great.”
In addition to their team experience, Ciganda has a pair of victories on the LPGA Tour and Reid stepped into the winner’s circle for the first time in her LPGA Tour career last fall at the ShopRite LPGA Classic pres. by Acer. It all adds up to a Saturday charge with Solheim Cup-like intensity exhibited from the Spaniard and Englishwoman.
“There’s no way that we’re not going to play aggressive and do our best,” said Reid. “We’ve been in these situations many times, and it does help that we’ve played so many Solheim Cups together. I don’t think there’s much more pressure than that.
“Try to get as many birdies as possible and we’ll see what happens.”